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Published on: February 19, 2021
An Inpatient Child Passenger Safety program
Lindsey Nichole Elliott1, Barbara DiGirolamo, Maria McMahon
11Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
Insights
A new Inpatient Child Passenger Safety (CPS) program improved car seat knowledge and compliance for hospitalized children. The program provided education and car seats to hundreds of families, enhancing safety for young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Hospitalized children are at risk for non-compliance with child passenger safety (CPS) laws.
- Massachusetts law mandates specific car seat requirements for children under 8 years old or 57 inches tall.
- Lack of awareness and access to resources can hinder proper car seat use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To implement and evaluate an Inpatient Child Passenger Safety (CPS) program.
- To improve CPS knowledge and adherence to state laws among hospitalized children and their families.
- To provide essential resources, including car seats, to families in need.
Main Methods:
- A multidisciplinary Inpatient CPS program was developed and expanded across all hospital units.
- A computerized nursing assessment tool was utilized to identify children requiring CPS consultation.
- Program activities included education on CPS laws and distribution/loan of car seats.
Main Results:
- Over 3650 children were assessed, with 598 CPS consults initiated.
- 325 families received crucial CPS education.
- 419 children received car seats, and 134 families were loaned specialty car seats.
Conclusions:
- An Inpatient CPS program can be successfully implemented using a multidisciplinary approach.
- The program effectively provided vital CPS education and car seat resources to hospitalized families.
- This initiative contributes to improved child passenger safety for vulnerable pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Background. Our institution implemented an Inpatient Child Passenger Safety (CPS) program for hospitalized children to improve knowledge and compliance with the Massachusetts CPS law, requiring children less than 8 years old or 57 inches tall to be secured in a car seat when in a motor vehicle. Methods. After the Inpatient CPS Program was piloted on 3 units in 2009, the program was expanded to all inpatient units in 2010. A computerized nursing assessment tool identifies children in need of a CPS consult for education and/or car seat. Results. With the expanded Inpatient CPS Program, 3650 children have been assessed, 598 consults initiated, and 325 families have received CPS education. Car seats were distributed to 419 children; specialty car seats were loaned to 134 families. Conclusions. With a multidisciplinary approach, we implemented an Inpatient CPS Program for hospitalized children providing CPS education and car seats to families in need.
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